Types of Aircraft Bearings and Their Roles in Flight Safety

Common Types of Aircraft Bearings

Reflecting the diversity of stresses and movements in aircraft systems, some of the bearing variants one can expect to encounter include:

• Ball Bearings: Ball bearings utilize spherical rolling elements that are known to handle well in high-speed, light-load environments. Despite this, they require careful lubrication and cage design to manage heat at very high speeds and are not known to accommodate heavy radial loads. 
• Cylindrical Roller Bearings: These bearings rely on line contact between their cylindrical rollers and races, giving them excellent radial load capacity and stability at moderate to high rotational speeds. However, cylindrical roller bearings are less capable of carrying axial loads unless paired with flanges or separate thrust elements.
• Needle Roller Bearings: Needle roller bearings contain long, slender rollers that provide a high load-carrying capacity relative to their compact cross-section, helping them to perform well in limited-space environments while supporting significant radial loads. However, their ability to carry axial loads is minimal.
• Tapered Roller Bearings: Tapered roller bearings have conical rollers and raceways that enable them to sustain combined heavy radial and axial loads in a single assembly, but they need to be precisely mounted to perform effectively.
• Spherical Roller Bearings: Spherical roller bearings, sometimes called self-aligning bearings, are hardware that feature curved raceways to permit angular misalignment and consistent handling of heavy radial loads and moderate axial forces. Because of their complex geometry and higher internal friction, these bearings generally operate at lower speeds.
• Plain Bearings: Plain bearings rely on a sliding interface rather than rolling elements to facilitate movement, making them suitable for oscillating or low-speed motion where simplicity and damping are prioritized. Although they can carry high loads for their size, they exhibit higher friction than roller bearings and depend heavily on proper material selection and lubrication to prevent wear and seizure.

Notable Areas on Aircraft Where Bearings Are Used

Engine & Shaft Bearings

Rotating sections within turbofan and turboprop engines operate at thousands of revolutions per minute while being exposed to extreme temperatures. If even one bearing in these assemblies fails to maintain its load-carrying capacity, consequences may include rotor unbalance, shaft contact, metal debris ingestion, or even a complete engine seizure.

To prevent such outcomes, engine bearings are carefully engineered to endure simultaneous radial and axial loads, resist thermal expansion and centrifugal forces, and tolerate high-frequency vibration and transient loads. Many engines commonly integrate cylindrical roller bearings for primary radial load support along shafts, which are carefully designed with appropriate materials to withstand the conditions at hand. Moreover, to reduce friction and manage heat buildup, bearings in these areas are also lubricated by the engine’s oil system through internal channels that lead to each compartment.

Flight Control Surfaces

Bearings in flight control systems are expected to operate with exceptional smoothness and minimal resistance to guarantee responsive control. These components link pilots or flight computer inputs to movable surfaces like ailerons, rudders, elevators, and flaps, which are characterized by small, angular displacements rather than continuous rotation. As such, the reduction of friction and stick-slip behavior is vital to keep flight characteristics predictable.

In these assemblies, spherical roller bearings are frequently used to accommodate limited angular motion while permitting slight misalignments that occur due to aerodynamic loads, temperature changes, and airframe flexing. Additionally, needle roller bearings can be found in compact actuator joints or pivot pins, especially where the envelope is constrained but a rolling element is still needed to minimize friction.

Landing Gear and Wheel Assemblies

During touchdown, taxiing, and braking, landing gear and wheels are made to absorb high radial impacts, handle axial thrust forces, and resist vibration under conditions that combine extreme pressure, moisture, and contamination risks. For these reasons, tapered roller bearings are the dominant type in wheel and axle assemblies, as their conical design allows them to support both radial and axial loads. Conversely, shock struts and retraction linkages might utilize spherical or plain bearings to tolerate the multi-axis motion that occurs as landing gear extends and retracts. Regardless of bearing type, effective sealing systems are crucial for those employed in these areas to prevent the ingress of dirt, water, and de-icing chemicals that can degrade both their lubrication and lifespans.

Secure Dependable Aircraft Bearings on ASAP Fasteners

The key takeaway is that selecting the proper bearing type for certain systems, along with installing them under stringent tolerances and with appropriate lubrication, is fundamental to aircraft safety. Equally important is securing bearings that are manufactured in compliance with the rigorous standards and certifications governing aviation components, which you can always turn to ASAP Fasteners for.

As an ASAP Semiconductor owned and operated platform, ASAP Fasteners provides access to countless top-quality part types with full traceability to reputable manufacturers. Whether you are building new systems or maintaining existing fleets, ASAP Fasteners offers a one-stop distribution platform with convenient, competitive procurement options. With this in mind, get in touch with our expert team today to see how we can serve you.

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1. henry anderson
2. Posted on February 12, 2026
bearings

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